New e-fits of a man wanted for questioning in relation to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have been released by police.Detectives also say the accepted version of events surrounding the disappearance the little girl in 2007 has "significantly changed".The man was allegedly seen in and around the Portuguese town of Praia da Luz at the time of Madeleine's disappearance and are released as part of a BBC Crimewatch appeal to identify the man and eliminate innocent sightings, Scotland Yard said.

The first e-fit

A short clip has been released ahead of the broadcast showing a reconstructed scene of Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry playing tennis.Madeleine, dressed in pink shorts, a light pink T-shirt and pink hat, then runs across the court, clutching a batch of tennis balls.A full reconstruction lasting 25 minutes will feature in the programme, which airs Monday at 9pm.

The second e-fit of a man wanted for questioning

In another clip, the McCanns are asked how often they think of their daughter, who went missing when she was three years old on May 3 2007 from a holiday apartment as her parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant with friends.Mr McCann says: "When it's a special occasion, when you should be your happiest and Madeleine's not there, that's when it really hits home."Obviously, Madeleine's birthday goes without saying."Mrs McCann adds: "It's when you have big family occasions really. That's it isn't it? 'Family occasion' and you haven't got your complete family."Ahead of the programme, senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood said: "The timeline we have now established has given new significance to sightings and movements of people in and around Praia da Luz at the time of Madeleine's disappearance."Our work to date has significantly changed the timeline and the accepted version of events that has been in the public domain to date."It has allowed us to work with Crimewatch to build the most detailed reconstruction as yet, and highlight very specific appeal points.

Madeleine McCann's parentsGerry and Kate McCann who are 'greatly encouraged' by new information

"I hope that when the public see our investigative strands drawn together within the overall context of that appeal, it will bring in new information that moves our investigation forward."Crimewatch presenter Kirsty Young will speak to the McCanns live in the studio during the programme, while presenter Matthew Amroliwala has been to Praia da Luz to explore the new focus of the police investigation.During the programme, Redwood discusses how the police have approached the inquiry, saying: "Primarily what we sought to do from the beginning is try and draw everything back to zero if you like. Try and take everything back to the beginning and re-analyse and reassess everything, accepting nothing."The careful and critical analysis of the timeline has been absolutely key."Primarily, we're focused on the area between 8.30 and 10."We know at 8.30 that was the time Mr and Mrs McCann went down to the tapas area for their dinner and we know that around at 10pm that was when Mrs McCann found that Madeleine was missing."An incident room will be staffed during tomorrow's appeal and the days that follow, when the appeal moves to Holland and Germany.A dedicated call centre will also be opened at Hendon, in north-west London.Redwood and his team recently revealed a vast log of mobile phone traffic could be the key to finding out what happened to Madeleine.Scotland Yard detectives, who have interviewed 442 people as part of their review-turned-investigation, hope to track down as many people present in the Portuguese town at the time.Since launching its own investigation, 41 people of interest have been identified by the Metropolitan Police, including 15 UK nationals.Detectives have issued 31 international letters of request (ILOR) to mostly European countries in relation to some of the persons of interest as well as accessing phone records.A large but "manageable" list of phone numbers identified as being present in Praia da Luz - though not necessarily used to make phone calls - has been drawn up by detectives with a "significant" number unattributed to any named person.The Portuguese investigation officially closed but authorities there are backing the Scotland Yard inquiry and officers from both countries will work together in pursuing new leads.The Metropolitan Police now has a team of six Portuguese detectives based in Faro, who are carrying out inquiries on its behalf.The McCanns are currently suing former police chief Goncalo Amaral for libel over claims in the book The Truth Of The Lie.

I truly find all the snippets, sneak previews and trumpet blowing advertising the programme weird. Redwood was quoted as talking about explosive revelations etc. if that is true that is also off the wall.

It is so far removed from how you would expect SY or indeed any police force to behave in the middle of an investigation.

It is akin to how they show snapshots of Eastenders or Corrie a week before the explosive episode is due to air.

I tell ya summat - this had better be good. It had better be better than good.

In my long experience, the bigger the hype, the bigger the let-down.I don't want to be saying afterwards: "Was that it? Is that all there is?"(Cue Peggy Lee: Is that all there is? If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing ...)

I guess what I'm saying is that if the police and the BBC want to retain any credibility at all, then they are going to have to surprise us - big time.

almostgothic wrote:I tell ya summat - this had better be good. It had better be better than good.

In my long experience, the bigger the hype, the bigger the let-down.I don't want to be saying afterwards: "Was that it? Is that all there is?"(Cue Peggy Lee: Is that all there is? If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing ...)

I guess what I'm saying is that if the police and the BBC want to retain any credibility at all, then they are going to have to surprise us - big time.

What if Op Grange already has a German paedophile in their sights that they know was in the area at the time, and they've done the e-fit to look amazingly like him from his mugshot? Even if nothing comes of it down the road, it could then appear this was the one but they couldn't prove it..... especially if Hewlett gets linked in somehow?

Might be their endgame, and the best they can do with the whole McCann bag of worms.

almostgothic wrote:I tell ya summat - this had better be good. It had better be better than good.

In my long experience, the bigger the hype, the bigger the let-down.I don't want to be saying afterwards: "Was that it? Is that all there is?"(Cue Peggy Lee: Is that all there is? If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing ...)

I guess what I'm saying is that if the police and the BBC want to retain any credibility at all, then they are going to have to surprise us - big time.

What if Op Grange already has a German paedophile in their sights that they know was in the area at the time, and they've done the e-fit to look amazingly like him from his mugshot? Even if nothing comes of it down the road, it could then appear this was the one but they couldn't prove it..... especially if Hewlett gets linked in somehow?

Might be their endgame, and the best they can do with the whole McCann bag of worms.

If the latest version is that Jane had a moment and her sighting is lets say unreliable and they are moving on to Smiths sighting, that would be a dangerous game to play, considering his second statement. Of course they could claim Smith had a similar moment to discredit him. However we have never seen anything to indicate he was looking for fame from this, quite the opposite, he has always stayed out of the limelight and was very much kept in the cupboard by team McCann.

almostgothic wrote:I tell ya summat - this had better be good. It had better be better than good.

In my long experience, the bigger the hype, the bigger the let-down.I don't want to be saying afterwards: "Was that it? Is that all there is?"(Cue Peggy Lee: Is that all there is? If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing ...)

I guess what I'm saying is that if the police and the BBC want to retain any credibility at all, then they are going to have to surprise us - big time.

What if Op Grange already has a German paedophile in their sights that they know was in the area at the time, and they've done the e-fit to look amazingly like him from his mugshot? Even if nothing comes of it down the road, it could then appear this was the one but they couldn't prove it..... especially if Hewlett gets linked in somehow?

Might be their endgame, and the best they can do with the whole McCann bag of worms.

If the latest version is that Jane had a moment and her sighting is lets say unreliable and they are moving on to Smiths sighting, that would be a dangerous game to play, considering his second statement. Of course they could claim Smith had a similar moment to discredit him. However we have never seen anything to indicate he was looking for fame from this, quite the opposite, he has always stayed out of the limelight and was very much kept in the cupboard by team McCann.

But if the German paedophile has similar features to gerryman, then that will take care of Smith's claims.

is it known as FACT that he was approched by one of the mcann family members ? if so that doesnt look good if he is a witness - also wonder what all the tapas will be feeling tonight - these timelines are they agreed by all of them

cass wrote:is it known as FACT that he was approched by one of the mcann family members ? if so that doesnt look good if he is a witness - also wonder what all the tapas will be feeling tonight - these timelines are they agreed by all of them

But didn't he tell the police he was approached by uncle b in his statement ? I think he did, I can't find his statements, I'm looking for them,. I recall though that he was not pleased about the approach.

Pennylane I agree with you, at this stage they would try and convince us the earth is square, but it is a risky business for SY to get involved in, IMO.

Yes, he did tell police about being contacted, extract from his statement below.

He has been contacted by numerous tabloid press looking for stories. He has been contacted by Mr Brian Kennedy who is supporting the McCann family to take part in a photo fit exercise. He has given no stories or helped in any photo fits. He sent a solicitor's letter to six papers in relation material that was printed that was misquoted. The Evening Herald paid his solicitor's fees and all papers printed an apology. His photograph appeared in another tabloid paper and this matter is being pursued at the moment.

cass wrote:is it known as FACT that he was approched by one of the mcann family members ? if so that doesnt look good if he is a witness - also wonder what all the tapas will be feeling tonight - these timelines are they agreed by all of them

It was Kennedy the window man, not Kennedy the uncle. I do feel that would bear investigation - perhaps it already has.

Yes, he got absolutely fed up with press wanting to talk to him and also fed up with the intrusion from Mr Brian Kennedy. I don't blame him for not getting involved earlier and helping the private PI's with a photofit. Why should he get involved with any organisation other than authorised Police investigators? It wasn't his fault that the Portuguese shelved the case and didn't then formally interview him and he was under no obligation to help anyone else.

I do believe however that he may have helped the private PI's had he seen a swarthy man with goofy teeth and a moustache carrying a child. However, he said at the time this man looked a lot like Gerry McCann and actually his E fit does and I think this is behind his reason for not wanting to get involved before now.

Whether he has done right or wrong to not get involved before now with Madeleine missing for so long is for him only to decide, but he did open a can of worms at the time and I am certain this was behind his decision to stay quiet and to only speak to anyone involved with an official investigation.